Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions which have taken place between his Department and Sligo Harbour Commission in relation to the future of Sligo Harbour and the request by Sligo Harbour Commissioners for an upgrading of Sligo Port and its retention as an independent port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19932/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's ports policy statement, which I launched in January 2005, states that the continued operation of many of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The policy statement reiterated the view that most of these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership or, where this is not possible, through sale to the private sector. In harbours where significant commercial traffic exists consideration will be given to bringing them under the control of a port company.

The Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to advance the implementation of the ports policy statement with regard to the transfer of regional harbours to local authority control. It is intended to arrange for the transfer of the designated regional harbours to their respective local authorities, where appropriate, and to proceed individually in conjunction with the relevant local authorities and harbour authorities, having regard to local requirements in each case.

On 17 May 2005, I met with the chairman and other members of Sligo Harbour Commissioners. At this meeting the position in accordance with the ports policy statement was outlined and it was explained that in the case of Sligo Harbour the Department's proposal is that it be transferred to Sligo County Council. It was explained that an order to be made under section 88 of the Harbours Act 1996 would be required to give effect to the transfer. Section 88 provides that I may, with the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, by order transfer all the property, rights and liabilities of scheduled harbour authorities and every member of their staff to the relevant local authorities.

On 1 June 2005, Sligo Harbour Commissioners sent a letter to the Department in which they request me to establish, by order under section 87 of the Harbours Act 1996, a port company in respect of Sligo Harbour. A substantive reply to the commissioners is currently in preparation by the Department. However, the position remains as set out above.